I'm Sick of Restaurant Menus without Prices (and So Are You!)

Welcome to The Nitpicker. Jason Kessler loves to complain almost as much as he loves to eat. Join him on his journey through the imperfect universe of food.

Shock and awe: This is what happens when menus don't have pricesPhoto: Copyright iStockphoto.com / Leontura

I feel honored if anything I write sparks a discussion. Last week, I wrote about restaurants trying to get all fancy with their menus by spelling out the prices and leaving off dollar signs and other pricing nonsense. In the comments, both here on bonappetit.com and on Facebook, readers brought up a related topic that has long been on my list of things to nitpick: menus with no prices at all.

What makes an establishment think that we, the dining public, care solittle about money that we'll just order something without caring aboutthe price? Commenter ARKIE writes: "...what about those people who aregoing out for a special occasion and only want to spend a specifiedamount of money? Those people feel embarrassed to ask how muchsomething is, or feel humiliated when the ticket comes and it's farmore than what they had budgeted. I think it's elitist and annoying."You make a great point, Arkie. It IS elitist and annoying! Are theseplaces banking on the fact that we're too embarrassed to ask about theprice? If so, that's pretty low. I know I've been guilty of that onmore than one occasion and I hate that I let the restaurant win so Ididn't look "cheap" on a date.

In my experience, the biggest offender of the disappearing price seemsto be drink menus. DOBIEMOM commented: "And how about those drinkmenus that don't provide any price at all?" Here here, DobieMom. Whendid the price of drinks become such a big secret? Most bars are happyto provide you with a list of their offerings, but somehow many of themleave off the price (unless it's happy hour and they're bragging aboutit). I realize that alcohol may make me care less about how much I'mpaying, but it certainly doesn't make me forget altogether.

Another major culprit is nightly specials. At Mastro's, my favoritesteakhouse, they enthusiastically tell you about their fabulous lobstermashed potato special before you order. I finally gave in once, andboy was I in for a surprise when I got the bill. Thosecrustacean-filled spuds cost me $32! For a side dish! They were good,but were they worth the price of three pizzas? Nope. Sushi can turnout the same way. CNK27 said: "We ended up paying a 100 bucks (notincluding tip!) for a two-person lunch because there were no prices onthe roll menu!" No matter how good that lunch was, it doesn't beatthat sinking feel when you're walking out of your local sushi jointminus a Benjamin.

All things considered, I think not listing prices on your menu is justplain disrespectful. It puts diners in the uncomfortable position ofhaving to ask about the price and I don't know anyone who wants to dothat. I want to thank all the commenters for throwing in their ownnitpicking thoughts on this.

Based in Los Angeles, Jason Kessler has written for television shows such as NBC's The Office, True Jackson, VP on Nickelodeon, and The MTV Movie Awards. Photo by Matt Armendariz.